What is the man's background? Where is he from? ✔️✔️The man was born in Geneva, Switzerland.
His father held a public office and both his parents doted on him and idolized him. His name is first
mentioned on p. 21 by his mother.
What is the story of the man's mother, Caroline Beaufort? Ho does the man feel toward his parents, and
what responsibilities does he feel they had toward him? ✔️✔️Victor's father's best friend was Caroline
Beaufort's father. Beaufort fell into poverty and eventually died. Frankenstein Sr. rescued the young
Caroline and married her when she came of age. Their "duty from heaven" was to raise Victor to be
good and their guidance is responsible for all his future happiness or misery.
Who is Elizabeth Lavenza and what is her story? What gift does the man's mother give him? Do we know
the man's name yet? Do we know his family name? ✔️✔️Elizabeth is the daughter of an Italian
nobleman and a German woman. She was orphaned and taken in by a poor Italian family. Victor's family
adopts her and gives her as a present to him.
Who is Henry Clerval and what is his relation to Victor? ✔️✔️Henry Clerval is Victor's childhood friend.
How does Victor characterize the interests and characters of Clerval, Elizabeth, and himself?
✔️✔️Clerval loves the stories of medieval knights and chivalry. Elizabeth enjoys the emotional aspect
of poetry but does not pursue learning. She is nurturing and kind. Victor is fascinated with the study of
science.
Who is Cornelius Agrippa and how does Victor find out about him? How does Victor's father respond,
and how does Victor comment on that response? ✔️✔️On a rainy day while on vacation, Victor reads
books he finds. Agrippa is an ancient scientist who studied alchemy. His books are outdated and
unscientific. Victor's father criticizes Victor for reading such nonsense. Victor decides to read even more
on the subject after his father's criticism.
What sort of science is Victor learning from Agrippa, Paracelsus, and Albertus Magnus? How would a
modern scientist respond to this sort of thinking? ✔️✔️Alchemy and the search for the fountain of
youth. Modern scientists know these pursuits are foolish.